Peterson: The Register's Iowa State text group loves Hunter Dekkers, wonders about special teams

Randy Peterson, Des Moines Register

September 19, 2022 at 10:25 AM·5 min read

AMES – Matt Campbell’s halftime speech Saturday included absolutely nothing about coaching the Gilbert sixth-grade girls’ softball team last summer. Iowa State’s football coach figured his team needed a reassuring come-from-behind story like that when his team trailed Iowa at halftime, so they got it.

Saturday against Ohio was different. This time, Campbell wasn’t exactly the happiest guy in the room, despite his team’s 30-3 halftime advantage.

Quarterback Hunter Dekkers, as good as he was most of the day, lost a fumble at the Ohio 19-yard line, but that wasn’t worth a full-out Campbell rant. But add in Ohio blocking a PAT, and the savvy orator figured a tough-love halftime speech would be more appropriate.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell watches a play during Saturday's game vs. Ohio at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

“I was probably irate at halftime. Just because you're up 30-3 and your eyes see all the things that are going to cost us when we need it the most,” Campbell said. “If we don't clean those things up, then we could be happy being 3-0, but I’m not (happy). I still feel like there's so much proof of who we can be and what we need to become, if we're willing to get there.

“There are some high-end highs, and some lows that we’ve got to get figured out. The ball-security piece of it is something we’ve got to continue to work on, and yet there’s some critical plays that (Dekkers) makes ... that we’re not the team we’ve got the ability to be if he doesn’t make those plays.”

More: How Iowa State football's 3-0 start has raised stakes: 'I really like where we are at'

There weren’t many bad plays in the 43-10 breeze against the MAC opponent, but the ones that stuck out — like a third blocked kick in the past two games — won’t cut it during the schedule’s remaining games.

Being 3-0 for the first time since 2012 is one thing. Playing like an unbeaten during Saturday’s Big 12 opener against league-favorite Baylor at Jack Trice Stadium is another. That was the point Campbell and his staff hammered home, starting with last Saturday’s halftime talk.

Like usual, I asked The Register’s Iowa State text-group for their thoughts on Saturday's game. Here’s a sampling from the more than 200 who responded. Here’s one to get us started:

“Unbeaten start to the season is outstanding. The opening drive was a masterpiece. After a commanding lead, (Iowa State) played sloppy with penalties, turnovers and a lack of execution. We substituted liberally, and got some great play from second- and third-stringers. A great day.”

Will McDonald moves within four of breaking the Big 12’s sack record

Text-group comments:

Dominant while occupying two or three blockers on most plays. Opponents can double- or triple-team him all they want, because all they’re doing is creating an opening for someone else on the defense.
Good to see him get his first sack of the season. He’s hungry, and now that he’s gotten a taste, he wants more.
Have you ever seen a defensive end get held or tackled as much as McDonald does, without anything being called?

More: Peterson: Iowa State pass rushing maestro Will McDonald eyes Big 12 sack record after big Ohio win

The Dekkers-to-Hutchinson Show

Text-group comments:

Iowa State players Myles Purchase (5), Xavier Hutchinson (8), and Aidan Bitter (85) sing the Iowa State school song after Saturday's game vs. Ohio at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

Incredible to watch. They’re elite football. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hutchinson get double-covered against Baylor, and going forward in Big 12 play.
Too much Dekkers-to-Hutchinson is a concern.
All of a sudden, I worry about Hutchinson getting injured, with all those touches.

The Nightmare on Special Teams Street

Text-group comments:

The kicker needs to get the ball higher.
This special teams play is becoming a serious problem.
One-game issues would be tolerable, but three consecutive games with different issues a pattern.
Lacking confidence right now on special teams. That type of play will cost victories, if we don’t get it figured out.
When will Iowa State start being solid at the same time on all aspects of special teams?

More: Grading Iowa State football after its blowout victory over Ohio

No improvement through the first three games. This will be costly in conference play, and will be the difference in a close game — win or lose.
Way too many mistakes. Iowa State needs to be much better against Baylor, and beyond.
I thought the new kickers could kick touchbacks.

Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers (12) runs for a touchdown during Saturday's game vs. Ohio at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

Random observations

Text-group comments:

Baylor is beatable.
It would be great if the offense can continue getting off to a fast start in conference games.
Nice to see the tight ends join in. DeShawn Hanika will be a consistent contributor.
Need to see more of the running game. Dekkers has been good passing, but the Cyclones will have to grind out some run yards at key times.
Colby Reeder is a phenomenal kid and a great transfer pickup. The interception was a thing of beauty, wasn’t it?
Deon Silas is one of the fastest men I’ve ever seen. He blew by everyone when he broke open.
If the coach sees you playing well in practice, he’ll find a spot for you on game day.
It sure looks like the team is better than the “experts” predicted. We’ll find out Saturday.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson embarked on his 50th year of writing sports for the Des Moines Register in December 2021. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: From Hunter Dekkers to ISU special teams, everyone has an opinion

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Will McDonald moves within four of breaking the Big 12’s sack record

The Dekkers-to-Hutchinson Show

The Nightmare on Special Teams Street

Random observations

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